Emigrating to Elmhurst

With 11 colleges and universities in Rhode Island, Providence lies in the heart of a state that is highly populated with college students. While some of these students choose to live on campus, many are opting to live in apartments throughout Providence, particularly in PC's neck of the woods.

Students from Johnson & Wales University, Brown University, Bryant University Rhode Island College, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the University of Rhode Island live in the Elmhurst neighborhood with students from Providence College.

"It creates for an interesting mix," said Richard F. Kless, director of Off-Campus Living. "The neighborhood has become a haven for college students and young professionals." Kless explained that recent graduates from colleges and universities in Rhode Island often choose to live with their friends who occupy the apartments near PC.

Five years ago, PC students were the primary occupants of the off-campus apartments. This dynamic recently changed, however, with the opening of Suites Hall in September. About 200 more students live on campus this year compared to previous years, creating several vacancies in the off-campus apartments. "These vacancies were quickly filled by students at other colleges who were looking for housing," Kless said.

The affordability of the apartments and their close proximity to downtown Providence makes the neighborhood an attractive spot for college students from throughout Rhode Island.

Melanie Campbell '05, who lives upstairs from a Johnson & Wales student in an apartment on Eaton Street, said she enjoys living off campus and getting to know students from other colleges. "I don't think they cause more trouble. It's cool to have kids from different schools, but at the same time it can get annoying," she said.

The Johnson & Wales students who live next to her belong to a sorority and sometimes have parties in their apartment. Despite their loudness, Campbell said she considers the sorority girls to be friendly neighbors.

Meghan Yeomans '05, who lives with Campbell, agreed, saying, "We've gone to their parties and they're really nice. They've been pretty inviting."

Both roommates attested to the fact that meeting students from different colleges can be a valuable addition to their college experience. "It's nice to meet different people," said Campbell. "You have your core group of PC friends, but it's nice to meet other people, especially during senior year."

Considering the growing number of college students living near PC, Kless said the neighborhood has become more diversified, attracting students of a variety of ages. At many colleges, such as Johnson & Wales, it is not abnormal for sophomores to live off-campus. The age range of students living in the neighborhood has thus expanded throughout the past few years.

Johnson & Wales sophomore Scott Dirico, who lives on the floor below Campbell and Yeomans, said he has befriended several PC students and likes living in an area highly populated with college students. Most of his friends, he said, live in the Elmhurst neighborhood and have chosen not to live on the Johnson & Wales campus. "I have met a lot of PC kids," Dirico said. "It definitely makes it better to have different kids around. I get fed up seeing the same people."

The number of theft and crime-related incidents has remained consistent in the past few years, Kless said.

The relationship college students have with others living in the area is important for the well-being and safety of the neighborhood. "It comes down to individuals, civility, and respect for all people and all neighbors," said Kless.

If a complaint is brought to the attention of the Off-Campus Living Office, Kless sends an e-mail to the residents in question. Such complaints range from littering, to loud music, to rowdy parties. Kless reminds students that there are other residents in the neighborhood who live lifestyles that may not correspond with those of college students, and who may not have tolerance for littering and disruptive house parties.

College students can bring a youthful atmosphere to the neighborhood, he said, and should not always be associated with causing trouble. To keep the neighborhood clean and well-kept, student athletes and members of several organizations, including Student Congress, take turns cleaning up the streets surrounding the PC campus.

For some students, the thought of living off campus and being more independent is appealing. "I definitely want to live off-campus," said Adam King '08, who hopes to have a change of pace from the traditional dorm setting during his junior and senior years. "The rooms are small in the dorms and in the apartments; you don't have to share a bathrooms."

Although only a freshman, King said he would like to live off campus to become acquainted with students from other colleges.

"Ideally I'd like to get an apartment with my friends from PC, but it'd be nice to meet new people," he said. "It adds some dynamics to the neighborhood."